Coxswain support

ABSTRACT

An apparatus providing a means for supporting a coxswain in a boat comprised of pair of adjustable or ratcheted pulleys with hooks for securing to a cross brace or similar structure in a boat together with a pair of retaining lines with a support strap medially placed between the retaining lines. Each of the retaining lines is threaded through a ratcheting pulley which is hooked to a cross brace or similar structure and can be adjusted to support the feet of the coxswain in both his upright and reclined position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application contains disclosure from and claims the benefit under Title 35, United States Code, § 119(e) of the following U.S. Provisional Application: U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/862,331 Filed Oct. 20, 2006 entitled COXSWAIN SUPPORT.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to boating, specifically to a device and method of supporting a coxswain in a racing shell.

2. Prior Art

A rowing team often employs a coxswain who is a non-rowing member of the crew who either sits in the stern or lies in the bow of the boat. The coxswain has the demanding job of commanding the crew and steering the boat. In a standard racing shell such as a sweep type boat wherein the coxswain is located in the bow of the boat, it is common to find a cross brace that is utilized as a headrest or backrest for the coxswain. During a race, the coxswain maintains a reclined position to minimize drag with his or her feet extending into the bow of the boat. Unfortunately, there are rarely any preinstalled support mechanisms to prevent the coxswain from sliding or slipping forward in the boat.

Currently a coxswain can prevent himself from sliding forward by holding on to the rail of the boat but this may negatively impact his duties in steering the boat and can also affect the balance of the boat. Some boats have handles or foot holds already installed in the bow of the boat for support, but they are fixed structures that cannot be adjusted to fit individual specifications. Others have back support systems to keep a coxswain off the bottom of the boat but these devices do little in preventing the coxswain from sliding forward.

The currently presented invention provides an adjustable, transferable, safe and economical solution to holding a coxswain in place while leaving the coxswain's hands free to navigate the direction of the row boat.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to boating, namely boating in the form of team rowing where a coxswain is utilized for steering or directing a team racing boat. The invention is generally comprised of at least one retaining line that may be adjustable in length, attached to a means of support that can help hold the rider in place and a means of attachment to the boat structure.

The objective of this invention is to provide more support for a coxswain or similarly situated person in a boat with improved comfort and stability, yet not impair the general functions of the coxswain, or impact the structure of the boat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above description and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the coxswain support apparatus attached to a boat structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows the side view of the coxswain support apparatus in use in accordance with the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment wherein the disclosed invention comprises a pair of adjustable or ratcheted pulleys 10 with hooks 12 for securing to a cross brace 14 or similar boat structure in a sweep boat 30. The hooks 12 may be attached to any structure on the boat and can be easily removed and reattached to another boat.

The preferred embodiment further comprises a pair of retaining lines 8, having a first end 20 affixed to the support strap 16 and a second end 18 that once threaded through the ratcheting pulley 10, is free to permit grasping and adjusting the length of the retaining lines 8 between the cross brace 14 and the support strap 16.

FIG. 2 depicts the side view of the preferred embodiment in use. The coxswain 40 is able to recline and use the retaining straps 8 and adjustable pulleys 10 to place the support strap 16 for receiving and supporting the coxswain's feet. This permits the coxswain 40 to maintain his position and prevents slipping or sliding forward. The ratcheting pulleys 10 further permit the support strap 16 to be drawn short for a more upright positioning, or released for a more reclined position.

The benefits of the disclosed embodiment allows for a simple and economic support mechanism to support a rider in a boat including but not limited to all types of racing shells.

Further benefits include the ability to provide for a support mechanism that is easily moved from boat to boat and may be utilized on a wide variety of boat types without negatively impacting the structural integrity.

Further benefits include the ability to readily adjust the length of the retaining lines and placement of the support strap to accommodate a wide range of boats, coxswains and positions.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiment that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention. For example, there can be a single retaining line with the support strap attached to the middle of the retaining line. The method of adjusting the length of the retaining line is not limited only to an adjustable pulley system. The means of attachment to the boat can be permanent or the retaining line can be attached directly to the boat structure without a hook or alternative attachment means. The support strap need not be a strap but can be any similar device capable of supporting the feet of the coxswain.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. A support apparatus for providing support for a rider in a boat comprising: an at least one adjustable retaining line with a means of adjustment, a means of support for the rider connected to said adjustable retaining line, and a means of attachment of said adjustable retaining line to a boat structure.
 2. The support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said means of attachment is comprised of said adjustable retaining line connected to an adjustable pulley, and said adjustable pulley attached to said boat structure.
 3. The support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said means of adjustment of the said adjustable retaining line is through an adjustable pulley.
 4. The support apparatus of claim 3 wherein the said adjustable pulley comprises a ratcheted pulley.
 5. The support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said means of support for the rider is a support strap located in the middle of the said adjustable retaining line.
 6. A support apparatus for providing support for a rider in a boat comprising: an at least two adjustable retaining lines with a means of adjustment, each said adjustable retaining line comprises of a first end and a second end, where said first end connected to a means of support for the rider, and said second end affixed to a means of attachment to a boat structure.
 7. The support apparatus of claim 6 wherein the said means of attachment is comprised of said adjustable retaining line connected to an adjustable pulley, and said adjustable pulley attached to said boat structure.
 8. The support apparatus of claim 6 wherein the said means of adjustment of each of the said adjustable retaining line is through an adjustable pulley.
 9. The support apparatus of claim 8 wherein the said adjustable pulley comprises a ratcheted pulley.
 10. The support apparatus of claim 6 wherein the said means of support for the rider is a support strap connecting each said adjustable retaining line.
 11. A method of providing support for a coxswain including the steps of: a) providing an at least one adjustable retaining line with a first end and a second end, b) affixing said first end of said adjustable retaining line to a means of support for the rider for receiving and supporting a coxswain's feet, c) affixing said second end of said adjustable retaining line to a boat structure, and d) adjusting said adjustable retaining line to the desired length to provide adequate support for a coxswain. 